Solidarités International Reporting / Communications Officer Job in Nairobi Kenya

Job Title: Reporting / Communications Officer 

1 Position
 

Reference Position (according to Solidarités’ scale): Officer
 

Country and base of assignment: Kenya / Nairobi

Desired start date: 01/02/2015
 

Duration of financing for post: 1 year
 

Source of financing for post: ECHO/EU/OFDA/UNICEF
 

Duration of the mission: 1 year
 

Status / allowances and salaries: As per salary grid
 

Place of work: Nairobi duty station with frequent field visits to Kenya and Somalia (minimum 50%)
 

2. Objectives:
 

2.1 Context of the position: Solidarites International joint Kenya / Somalia mission was opened started in march 2007. SI has been directly implementing programs mainly in South and Central Somalia. In 2014 mission includes operations in one region in Kenya (Marsabit) and 3 regions in Somalia (Gedo, Lower Juba and Galgaduud).
 

This is a new position created to improve the quality of reporting and proposal writing and therefore alleviate the work load of technical coordinators. It will also help improving in house capacity building and training on reporting and proposal writing issues as well as developing the mission’s communication strategy.
 

The Reporting/ Communication Officer will be under the supervision of the Deputy Country Director for Programs and will work closely with the field teams – Field Coordinators, Programme Managers – and with the coordination programme team – WASH and Food Security/Livelihoods Coordinators. 

He/she will work with the Head of Mission on developing the communication strategy and drafting the Mission annual strategy.

 He/She will work with HoM on training plan for field bases.

2.2 Specific objectives

1. The Reporting / Communications Officer (RCO)’s primary role is to produce and synthesize high quality reports and proposals, in close coordination with the CD, DCD programs, program coordinators, field management teams of Somalia mission and the Desk program manager.
2. The Reporting/Communication Officer (RCO) will be involved in monitoring on-going projects in cooperation with M&E assistant. He/She will be also involved in cross-checking data collected in assessment reports and triangulating information used to design proposals.
3. The RCO will be involved in designing a communications strategy for an internal and external audience, in addition to communicating the mission’s successes and stories internally and externally.
4. The RCO will be responsible for training senior colleagues in Nairobi and the field in i) consolidating reports between units and preparing them in a more conducive manner for the targeted audience, ii) identifying communications opportunities and improving the quality of photos, videos, community engagement for reflecting the needs and responses in the communities.
5. The Reporting/ Communications Officer (RCO) will be in charge of training program managers and field coordinators in drafting donor-based reports and consolidating relevant information, depending on the audience and the type of reports.

3. Profile Sought:
 

Education:

• Master’s degree preferably in social sciences, international relations and/or development or other relevant discipline

Experience:

• At least 1 year of related work experience, preferably for an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) at headquarter or on the field in Programme departments;
• Experience in working in Somalia, preferably being based inside of the country and working with international NGO
• Successful experience in reporting and contributing to proposal writing;
• Experience in direct implementation of programs in Somalia and establishing relationship with communities will be an asset
• Experience in training and capacity building;
• Experience in designing communication strategies and preparing communication materials
• Skills and/or experience in reporting on WASH and Food Security/ Livelihood activities are an asset.

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of donors’ reporting guidelines (ECHO – OFDA);
• Good knowledge of the Project Cycle Management;
• Excellent organizational skills: ability to work independently & productively in a fast-paced environment;
• Excellent writing skills in English,
• Ability to synthetize information;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills: ability to effectively liaise with a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment;
• Good computer skills : MS products (WORD, EXCEL, Power Point, Publisher), Internet

Languages:

• English: Fluent with excellent writing capacities
• French: Fluent with excellent writing capacities
• Somali: Fluent with excellent writing capacities

Other desirable qualities:

• Flexible work attitude and proactive
• Creativity and energy to implement new approaches
• Ability to work productively in a team environment;
• Strong capacity to work with initiative and without close supervision;
• Ability to work independently, set priorities and meet deadlines;
• Fast learner, multitasking;
• Ability to deal with heavy workload and constantly reassess priorities.

4. Context of the Post :
 

Brief overview of SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL work in the country: Solidarites International has been operational in Somalia since 2007. SI main areas of intervention are WASH and Food Security. In Kenya, SOLIDARITES has field base in North Horr. Resilience and WASH project are implemented in Marsabit county, with funding from EU and DFID. 

In Somalia, SOLIDARITES has field bases in two regions: Gedo with offices in Mandera (on Kenyan side), Luuq and Elwaq and in Galgaduud with offices in Adaado and Abudwak. Projects are focusing on WASH and food security. SI secured funding form ECHO, OFDA, CHF and UNICEF. At the time of the writing of this job description SI is also considering opening activities in other locations.
 

How the mission is organised:
 

The coordination is based in Nairobi. The Field Team dedicated to Somalia Programs is based in Dadaab and Mandera in Kenya, close to the Somalia Border. Kenyan field office is in North Horr.

Insecurity in Somalia does of course affect our presence on the ground. This situation has deteriorated lastly, affecting all humanitarian activities of all humanitarian actors, and incurring real difficulty of access.

The Kenya/ Somalia mission does not follow a classic set up. There are two different missions followed by the same coordination team. Kenya and Somalia contexts are different. External actors (INGOs, LNGOs, donors, authorities, forums, etc.) are completely separated for Kenya and Somalia missions: it therefore multiplies the workload of the coordination team.

Specific context of the area in which the expatriate will be working
 

Main Working Location: Nairobi with 50% travel to Somalia/Kenya field bases. Nairobi is a relatively safe city, although precautions must be taken. Main risks are from vehicle accidents, mugging, and vehicle hijackings.
 

Current Field Visit locations and their security context:
 

a) Dadaab/Dhobley: Operational base for Lower Juba. Significant security issues. Very few extra professional activities possible. Several other NGOs present. Curfew at night. Base is basic.
 

b) Adaado: Operational base for Galgaduud. Significant security issues. Very few extra professional activities possible. Several other NGOs present. Curfew at night. Base is basic.
 

c) Mandera/Dollow: Operational base for Gedo. Significant security issues. Very few extra professional activities possible. Several other NGOs present. Curfew at night. Base is basic.
 

d) Other locations inside Somalia, where travel might be needed (i.e. Galckayo, Mogadishu, Dollow, Luuq, Elwak, Abudwaq, Kismayo, Garowe)
 

How to Apply:
 

Send a cover letter and CV to the following email address: jobapplication@solidarites-kenya-som.org. 

Please indicate the job title in the email subject line. 

Deadline for applications: 05th January 2015. 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.
 

Solidarités International is an equal opportunities employer